Keota man arrested for assault, now charged with kidnapping

WASHINGTON — On Oct. 17, Christopher Wulf, 39, of Keota, was arrested on charges of Willful Injury, a Class C felony, and Domestic Abuse Assault with Intent to Cause Serious Injury, an Aggravated Misdemeanor. After the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Washington County Attorney’s Office continued to investigate, officials said more of the Keota man’s conduct came to light.

Based on the ongoing investigation, the Washington County Attorney’s Office filed additional charges on Thursday of Kidnapping in the First Degree, a Class A felony, Domestic Abuse Assault Strangulation, a Class D felony, and Domestic Abuse Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, an Aggravated Misdemeanor. Kidnapping in the First Degree is punishable by a mandatory sentence of life in prison.

The office alleges that between Oct. 5 and Oct. 15, 2022, Wulf repeatedly abused his wife.

“On several occasions, Wulf, using a firearm, forced his wife into the large machine shed on their property,” a news release from the Washington County Attorney’s Office said. “It was in the machine shed, in private, where the more severe beatings took place for hours at a time. The victim was focused on survival as she endured ongoing and severe abuse before calling 911 on Oct. 15, 2022.”

Wulf’s bond is now set at $2 million cash only, according to the news release.